Customer Reviews

Narrow Stairs [Vinyl]

5 star:		(43)
4 star:		(46)
3 star:		(18)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

When Death Cab for Cutie signed to Atlantic Records a few years back, many people expected the worse. In the indie music world, where signing to a major record label is often met with cries of "selling out" and steadfast declarations of "their old stuff was better," Death Cab's transition was proof that a major record deal doesn't alway signal the end of a band's better days. Plans wound up being a beautiful album; not near as exciting or breathtaking as its predecessor, but still drenched in Ben Gibbard's unparalleled lyricism and Chris Walla's flawless production. It was an album that found the band's rough edges smoothed out - their more hopeful moments set aside to make way for those of self-doubt and longing.

Narrow Stairs takes the opposite approach. Walla is once again behind the production, but the album has a much more natural quality to it (a feature that not only contrasts Plans, but Walla's own solo album and his work with The Decemberists and Tegan and Sara). As such, it feels more like the band's earlier work: unrestrained and unrefined, free of nit-picking and studio perfectionism. The raw, guitar distortion of album-opener, "Bixby Canyon Bridge," would never exist on an album like Plans, and it's refreshing to hear the band breaking free from the self-imposed restrictions of their previous record.

Likewise, the album's first single "I Will Possess Your Heart" is well over 8 minutes long, something that I can't imagine Atlantic Records smiling on, especially being a single. The song seems hand-crafted to be the opening number to a live performance, with instrumentation slowly building over Nick Harmer's infecting bass line until finally, after 4 1/2 minutes, it's just Gibbard spouting his equally intoxicating, "You gotta spend some time love/ you gotta spend some time with me." Like most, I wasn't sold on the song on the first listen, but after spending some time with it (get it?) it grew on me. It still may not have been the wisest choice for a first single, but doing so seems to be more about making a statement than a marketing decision.

"No Sunlight" is, oddly enough, a very sunny pop/rock song with an indisputably rockin' chorus. Like a good Of Montreal song, its easy-going composition masks its darker lyrics. During the chorus, Gibbard sings, "It disappeared at the same speed/ the idealistic things I believe/ the optimist died inside of me." "Cath..." is equally as depressing, telling the story of a woman who marries out of the fear of growing old alone. Ben's lyrics are as impressive as they always are, lamenting, "Cath/ it seems that you live in someone else's dream/ in a hand-me-down wedding dress," later noting that, "the whispers that it won't last/ run up and down the pews." The song's forward guitars and bouncy instrumentation make it an easy favorite on the album, and one that I simply can't find fault with.

"Talking Bird" is a strange ballad about a parrot, or other bird that can talk. Gibbard trudges through the song with his typically melancholic musings, but knowing the subject matter really makes the song lose any effect that it may have had otherwise. "You Can Do Better Than Be" bursts out of the gate with such fanfare, that it seems more appropriate for a parade than a Death Cab album. Ben begins the song by singing, "I'm starting to feel we stayed together out of fear," over heavily-structured, syncopated snares and bass drums. It's a very cool sounding song and one of the few times on Narrow Stairs in which the band feels like they're trying to branch out.

By far, the album's standout track is "Grapevine Fires," in which Gibbard tells the story of a peaceful moment in the midst of a wildfire. The song is absolutely gorgeous from the start, with soft instrumentation, lush harmonies, and vivid imagery carrying it to its stunning conclusion ("The firemen worked in double shifts/ with prayers for rain on their lips"). "Your New Twin Sized Bed" is more standard Death Cab fare. As such, one could probably figure out the story of the song based on the title alone. It's a pretty track, but nothing that requires any real discussion or dissection. "Long Division" winds up being a much more pleasing song. With an irresistible, upbeat, guitar-heavy arrangement, you're almost guaranteed to sing along to the chorus ("To be the remain, remain, remain, remainder!") and maybe even bust out with a little air drumming. I know I have.

"Pity and Fear" is a song that never really goes anywhere. It doesn't build, change, or affect in any notable manner, and may be doomed to skip button of many CD players. Unfortunately, not even some admittedly cool guitaring in the track's final minute can redeem it. "The Ice Is Getting Thinner" ends the album on a high, if not sorrowful, note. Gibbard describes two lovers drifting apart with such beauty, that it's difficult to even think of a song that could do it better. He croons, "We buried our love/ in a wintery grave/ a lump in the snow/ was all that remained." It is a typical, soft, reflective comedown track to be sure, but you simply can't deny the brilliance of it.

In many ways, Narrow Stairs is a return to form for Death Cab for Cutie. That being said, it doesn't necessarily show them retreading the same path again, either. What Narrow Stairs accomplishes is much more subtle and graceful. It portrays a band embracing their roots while moving towards the future. With their success and notoriety already achieved, the band challenged themselves to make an album that doesn't rely on perfection in the studio, songwriting, or performances; but one that is honest, exciting and natural. It's not exactly reinventing the wheel, but Narrow Stairs is far from a sell out or a disappointment. It is simply another solid album from a band who continues to prove themselves worthy of our admiration. And really, what more could anyone want?

Key Tracks:
1. "Bixby Canyon Bridge"
2. " I WIll Possess Your Heart"
3. "Cath..."
4. "You Can Do Better Than Me"
5. "Grapevine Fires"

8 out of 10 Stars

After their big-label debut "Plans" in 2005, DCFC took to the streets and toured relentessly. This in turn lead to a longer than usual period in between new studio recording. Now, 3 years later, comes the much anticipated 6th studio albums from these guys.

"Narrow Stairs" (11 tracks, 45 min.) starts off with the best 1-2 punch ever: an epic opener "Bigxby Canyon Bridge", followed by an even stronger 8+ min. brooding "I Will Posess Your Heart" (1st radio single). Wow... these 15 min. of music alone are worth buying the album for. Smartly Ben Gibbard and the guys take a (musically) lighter turn after that, with tracks like "No Sunlight", "Your New Twin Sized Bed" and "You Can Do Better Than Me" (even though neither of them is a 'light' song lyrically...). Other highlights for me include "Grapevine Fires" (with great underlying keyboards) and the somber closer "The Ice Is Getting Thinner". But honestly, there isn't a single weak track as such on here. The songs are sequenced perfectly and it all flows from one to the next. Chris Walla's production is perfectly in tune with Ben Gibbard's slightly darker than usual songs. A terrific album all around (and right up there with 2003's "Transatlanticism", in my opinion).

I had seen DCFC in concert before, but when I saw them at Coachella in late April, the entire band played with a vigor and passion I hadn't seen before. They played quite a few of the new songs (including "I Will Possess Your Heart", which I'm guessing is Nick's (the bass player) favorite new song, but also "Grapevine Fires"), and also bringing a couple of classics such as "Sound of Settling". In all DCFC's set was one of the more memorable of the entire Coachella festival for me. Can't wait to see them again in concert. Meanwhile "Narrow Stairs" is highly recommended!

After the first time thru I would have rated this album just three stars, but it's kinda growing on me. I like the apt and easy song lyrics. I like various small and subtle production elements, such as the way the lead guitar moves in and around the vocals, sometimes joining, on tunes like "Pity and Fear." And there are various other things on Stairs I appreciate. There's no magnificent tragedy on the new CD to rival "Transatlanticism," but then what ever could? Stairs does have the similarly epic (and slow-building) "I Will Possess Your Heart," but it's quietly optimistic where "Trans..." is all heartbreak and sorrow. For those who felt let down after their first listen, give the disc another try and see what you think. Oh, and by the way, the CD booklet is another minor but cool work of art, something the download-only folks will miss I guess.

I would like to start out by saying this isn't DCfC's best album, but it is a great addition. Transatlanticism is still their best album, but that's probably not going to change since it's just a great masterpiece. The move to Atlantic records has not made any change for their creative abilities. As many know, Chris Walla (the band's lead guitarist) still produced this album. They have succeeded in creating an album that is different than their others, but still holds their style. Any fan of DCfC should be impressed.

The album starts off with the song Bixby Canyon Bridge. It starts out with the feel of their music from Plans, but around 1:40 there is a change to distorted guitar. I was a little nervous at first, but it was actually a good change for them.

I will Possess Your Heart: I'm sure many people have already heard this song. It is one of my favorites from DCfC. They have a 4:20 buildup without any vocals. There is no doubt of the beauty in this. The rest of the song Ben sings about pretty much being a stalker and if a woman would give him a chance she would love him. Absolutely stunning!

No Sunlight: This song reminds me of The Sound of Settling. It is upbeat and energetic. This one is just a fun song to listen to.

You Can Do Better Than Me: This song is only 2 minutes long, but it their best musical experiment. It starts out with what sounds like a timpani (could be wrong, please forgive me) with a tambourine. No ladies and gentlemen, this is not a Christmas song and it sounds good!

Grapevine Fires: With singing words in front there are some hums in the background. This is my second favorite song on the album. Again, something new for DCfC. There is music in this song as well, I'm just pointing out something new for them.

Long Division: The only thing to say about this one is the fact that it is upbeat like No Sunlight. It's a great song and feels like they are getting back in touch with their old style.

Pity and Fear: Sounds quite ethnic. It's simply incredible. I don't know how else to put this one.

The Ice is Getting Thinner: A hauntingly beautiful song that is perfect for the end of a well made album.

I know I barely touched on some songs and left out others, but that's because I know most people don't like to read huge reviews. If you take anything from this review I hope you understand that they wanted to take their music in a different, and positive, direction. They have done this with each new release and it's turned out to be positive. The best part about DCfC is that you can listen to all their CD's in a row and not get bored because they have distinct differences in each, while still keeping their image of being DCfC.

I've been a fan of this band for quite some time now and since have found out that singer Ben Gibbard and the band have been making music for almost a decade. He is a true artist in the indie-rock fashion, but did get more "mainstream" recognition with their 2005 release of "Plans". It even got a Grammy nomination and much heavy rotation on radio airwaves everywhere.

"Narrow Stairs" is slightly different from the more pop under-toned "Plans" with it's darker tone and slight sad with songs like "Pity and Fear" and "The Ice Is Getting Thinner". I also liked "I Will Possess Your Heart" which is eight minutes long and features interesting lyrics in the typical Ben Gibbard fashion yet slightly creepier. "You Can Do Better Than Me" bumps things back up to the more chamber-pop alternative side of Death Cab.

The band has always impressed me with their lyrics and the way they are willing to experiment and not try and fit any one style or do what's popular in the music world.

Anyone who has ever inhaled the air while overlooking the majesty of the Pacific Ocean at Big Sur will surely understand Death Cab For Cutie's point of view on their latest release, "Narrow Stairs." A retreat to this legendary central California destination clearly had lasting impacted on frontman Ben Gibbard's latest and most literate collection of lyrics. And yet for all of the open space and panorama that a trip to Big Sur entails, the irony of the band's love for that space comes from the fact that their last album, "Plans", sounded infinitely more spacious and breathable than this latest collection of tunes which captures a band at its tightest and most visceral.

Though much has been said about the familiar lyrical ground being tread on "Narrow Stairs", the album represents a stunning departure in their treatment and experimentation of musical textures and atmospheres. Though "Your New Twin Sized Bed" and "The Ice Is Getting Thinner" could have easily been placed elsewhere in DCFC's back catalog, songs such as "Pity & Fear", "You Can Do Better Than Me", and "Bixby Canyon Bridge" showcase a band that has sonically stepped out while coming closer together in the studio. Doing away with the pristine and polished production of their first major label success, resident producer Chris Walla opted for more live takes, resulting in a sound that damn near rocks at times and possesses an urgency uncommon for a band often tagged as "twee-pop." "Pity & Fear" has a prominent tabla groove embedded within, while "You Can Do Better Than Me" finds the band approaching worship at the altar of sun god Brian Wilson.

"Bixby Canyon Bridge" might be the true stunner here though. Referencing that glorious Big Sur landmark, Ben Gibbard weaves a familiar tale of soul searching that comes up empty-handed. Even the music begins in familiar territory, melding Gibbard's sparkling tenor with ghostly echoes and reverberations. But then Death Cab's most subdued personality, Jason McGerr, begins to punish his kit in a way that hasn't happened since the final minutes of "Transatlanticism." Distorted bliss ensues, and you temporarily forget and forgive that these are the guys who also gave us the sugary "We Laugh Indoors" just a few albums back.

Though the all of the sonic innovations may be negated by the cliched (though eloquently worded) lyrics, "Narrow Stairs" represent a band at the peak of its powers. Now comfortably in the majors, these guys have no problem releasing an epic eight minute jam as their first radio single or dirtying up their shimmery textures with walls of noise and feedbacks. It might be a bit overwhelming at first. Much like Big Sur itself though, the album will beg for you to make several return trips.

I'm pretty sure I own every DCFC recording. In this album I can hear pieces of all the others, even "Chords", arranged in the perfect package. Ben's lovelorn lament turned out to be the perfect catalyst for the culmination of a lot of ideas they have shared with us over the past several years. This album is heartbreaking, reflective, inspiring, brilliant.

Mark Kozelek's recent release is a breathtaking composition where lyrics and melody are seamless. A true gift reflective of his talent. For me this album is right there if not better on that score. The best part is that one can tell this is not just a Ben and Chris joint. Jason and Nick clearly influenced this album more than any others - you can just hear it.

This is probably my album of the year so far, and far better than releases from some other indie stalwarts (don't buy this packaged with MMJ before you read the reviews - and do yourself a favor and read Pitchfork's). Thank you, baby Jesus, for DCFC.

i have never been a die hard death cab fan because i tend to stick to acoustic rock but bands like the killers and now death cab give me hope for rock. It is just nice to hear creativity, great vocals, and amazing production without making it cookie cutter. Great album i highly recomend.

so here is one of the most anticipated albums of 2008 from washington's, death cab for cutie.

it's been almost three years since they released their masterpiece, "plans". fans and critics alike both loved and hated it. although more polished and accessible, hardcore DCFC fans cried "sell-out" while the critics for the most part praised it. all in all, "plans" was pretty much a perfect record through and through, end of story. while "transatlanticism" was also a masterpiece, "plans" found the band smoothing the rough edges in their sound and found their way to the radio releasing three singles that did quite well. not to mention selling over a million records for a once underground, small indie band is something pretty incredible.

while i've heard things about this album and read reviews about it before it came out, i knew no matter what i was going to love the record even if it didn't live up to my expectations to be as great as their last two records. rumors about ben's lyrics being the darkest and most confessional he's ever written while the songs themselves with underlying dark tones, i knew this was going to be a different side of the band no one's seen before.

after hearing "narrow stairs" on the way home in my car i definitely knew one thing was for sure. this is not their best record and isn't near perfect like their last two were. i know all of you diehard DCFC fans agree with me on this as well. no way is this their strongest effort yet but is a strong and different sound/side to the band we haven't heard before. as where i fell immediately in love upon first listen with "plans", this record was just the opposite. i noticed some standouts upon first listen but that was only about 4 or 5 of the songs. like their older records, this one's going to take awhile to grow on me.

although, this is not their strongest record (actually, third strongest behind "trans..."), you almost don't really care. i say this because where this album lacks compared to their older stuff is actually where the album shines. i know that sounds like a contradiction but the songs that didn't stand out to me are experimental for the band but i know eventually in time (10-20 listens) i'm going to really love these songs. if anything, this is the most diverse death cab album yet. as where all of their previous albums had the same flow and sound throughout the entire album, this album has lots of different songs that don't really sound to much like the next.

the album starts off with the "bixby canyon bridge" song where it starts off like a normal death cab song than at about 2 mins in a distorted guitar riff takes you by surprise and the song goes in a totally different direction. the second song and first single "i will possess your heart" starts off with an incredible (yet patience-testing) 4.5 min built until gibbard chimes and sings about a nice guy stalking a girl who he thinks is meant to be with. very creepy lyrics but it works well and is a catchy song. next, you have "no sunlight" which is comparable to "crooked teeth" off plans or something off of "the photo album". it's upbeat and catchy but with contradicting dark, pessimistic lyrics. "cath..." is definitely one of the highlights on the album and is just a great song with some touching lyrics. the next two songs "talking bird" & "you can do better than me" are experiments for DC and aren't as strong as other tracks but are slowly growing on me. "grapevine fires" is an excellent song and one of the best on the album next to the single. "your new twin sized bed" and "long division" are your more typical DCFC songs with some heart-breaking, sad lyrics but that's nothing compared to the last two songs. "pity and fear" is the song that made me do a double take and make sure i was actually listening to death cab. this is like nothing they've done before. it's very dark, drony, and really ugly with some incredibly dark lyrics. but that's nothing, it gets worse... the closer on the album "the ice is getting thinner" is downright ugly and depressing. the metaphorical title and lyrics are obviously about a failing relationship and the song is very slow and dark. the song itself was actually making me feel uncomfortable. i was relieved for it to be over but then again i went back and listened to it again. that's the thing with this album, the songs are different but very compelling and intriguing.

the whole album is like that...you have your typical DC songs, you have some really breathtaking/exceptional songs (#1, #2, #4, #7), and then you have the experimental/ugly ones that you can't help but to hit the repeat button. i think it's fair to say this album is a mixed bag but not in a bad way at all. if you're a huge fan of the band you're going to like this album for what it is, a great record full of diversity. if you're just now finding out about this amazing band than you might want to start with one of their last two records.

it seems anymore their are only a select few bands/artists who actually reinvent themselves and make music exciting with every one of their releases. few bands think for themselves and make music the way THEY want to regardless of peer pressure from their fans, their record label, and what everyone expects them to do. besides death cab the only other bands making original, daring, exciting, fresh music these days are brand new, bright eyes, my morning jacket, thrice, and most definitely radiohead. instead of making another mainstream-friendly version of "plans", they make this bold, daring record that is pretty rough around the edges. so for that, i thank death cab for being individuals and calling the shots. this is one of the few bands making interesting music today and i can't wait to hear what they come up with next. not their best, but still very strong and one of the year's best. highly recommended of course!

Plans was Death Cab's first stab at the big time. They passed with flying colors. Narrow Stairs is tougher and bolder. It is not better, just different. It's kind of like the girl next door's edgy sister: She's interesting because of her uniqueness. I admire producer/guitarist Chris Walla's decision to take risks. NS has a fearless energy that jumps from the speakers.

There is nothing here that is as majestic as the song Transatlanticism or as lifting as Soul Meets Body (from Plans). DC is less polished but more daring this time around. There are eleven strong tracks that take the boys from sad to sadder. Thankfully the mood is lifted by the beauty of the arrangements (No Sunshine is a good example of yin mixed with yang). I don't like the psych/jam band aspects of I Will Possess Your Heart (I'm in the minority here folks; it's the first single). I prefer when Ben Gibbard sings melodically and shows off his poetic lyrics. Grapevine Fires is the Highlight of NS. Gibbard plays the passive observer and tells us how we feel when our world literally goes up in smoke...BRILLIANT.

Narrow Stairs is not a classic on par with Transatlanticism. It's not as shiny and pretty as Plans. But like that edgy sister, it is worth a look and a listen. It is a gritty and solid effort from one of the top bands on either side of the Atlantic. Death Cab mix somber words with just the right amount of Spring sunshine to make our gloomy times a tad brighter...